Surprise visit to busy market and mitaayi theru
Calicut, Kerala (VSK). Tense situation has been prevailing in Calicut University campus since yesterday. During the day on December 17, Governor Arif Mohammed Khan had asked the police officers to remove the ‘anti-Arif Mohammed Khan’ banners, erected in the campus, by the SFI men. But, since police had not acted until the evening, Governor asked the District Police Chief (SP) to see that all banners are removed. Governor even summoned the Vice Chancellor Dr. M.K. Jayaraj to the Varisty Guest House and sought explanation for not removing the banners.
When Governor came out from the guest house, he was found infuriated. He reportedly asked the SP whether he thinks that he would be unaccountable. He asked if SFI runs the university. He wondered if they are going to sit quiet if SFI men erect banners outside the guest house. He asked the police if they do not have eyes to see it. He also asked whether they would allow this if it happens to the Chief Minister. He did not agree when the SP tried to justify the police’s stand. He insisted on the removal of the banners.
Then the police force, led by SP, removed all banners. Immediately several SFI men congregated there in the campus and re-erected the banners. The banners carried derogatory remarks and caricatures against the Governor. They were led by their state leaders. Police remained mute spectators during the entire episode. It is to be noted that hundreds of police personnel have been deployed in the campus.
In the meantime, Raj Bhavan’s Secretary has sought explanation from the Vice Chancellor regarding the erection of anti-Governor banners in the campus.
But still Governor is not in a mood to give in. He addressed the media persons outside the guest house on December 18 morning. He repeated that he cannot be frightened by anyone. He says, he did not need any police escort; he has informed police about this. He said, protest is a camouflage to attack him. He was ready to face it. He said that everybody knows who was behind the violence in Kannur district; the same person is behind the attempt to attack him. If anyone thinks that he can be frightened, he is mistaken, Governor said. Governor added that Kerala Police is one of the best in the entire country. But attempts are going on to silence them through political interference. He alleged that it is the CM who tries to silence the police.
Immediately, he made a surprise visit to the Kozhikode city and famous, busy mitaayi theru (sweet street), well-known place for hundreds of shops of tasty sweets and Kozhikodan haalwa. He rubbed the shoulders with the common people and visited several shops and tasted the sweets. He caressed the children. He was also seen carrying two children in either hands. He posed for selfie with the people, especially the children. He advised the kids to study well. He exchanged niceties with the people. Hundreds of people congregated to see him, talk to him and shake hands with him. He visited several shops and talked to the shop-keepers.
Later on, he told the media that what was seen in the streets proved the people’s love and affection he enjoys. People were so happy to see a Governor amidst them. Police personnel were relaxed as the people surrounded the Governor were friendly and affectionate.
Governor apologised to the people for the inconveniences caused to them due to the crowd. Later on, the people told the media that they were so happy to see the Governor amidst them. Shop keepers’ joy did not see leaps and bounds.
Observers see this visit to the sweet street as a sweet revenge to the violent CPM-SFI protests.
Afterwards, despite SFI’s threat that they would not let him touch the university campus, he drove back to the campus guest house sans any issue. SFI blokes did not dare to even raise the slogans against him.
